OUMC Socials

When we're not busy climbing, OUMC members love nothing more than to be sociable (honest). Whilst much of the socialising within the club is informal, there are several fixed events in the OUMC social calendar to look out for.

For more information on any of the events below, please see our club Termcard.

The Pub (8pm Wednesdays)

The Gardeners Arms on Plantation Road provides a permanent fixture both within and outside of term time. With plenty of climbers to be found from 9pm on Wednesdays, it's a great way to get to know club members. Perhaps most importantly, the Gardeners Arms is also the venue for meets sign ups during term time, with Wednesday nights providing the opportunity to sign up for and discuss the following weekend's meet.

The Gardeners Arms is also the scene of many other OUMC social fixtures, with film nights and impromptu gatherings also taking place here throughout the year.

The club AGM, in Trinity term, is also held at the GA. This event is when the new committee for the next calendar year is elected; any OUMC member can run for a committee position, regardless of how long you've been with the club, so don't be afraid to get involved! See the Committee page for more details.

Black Tie events

The two major formal fixtures of the OUMC calendar appear in the form of the Christmas dinner, which takes place towards the end of Michaelmas term, and the Annual Dinner, which is usually held in Trinity term. Both events provide an opportunity for usually scruffy climbers to dress up and at least pretend to be a little sophisticated. The dinners are usually black tie, but with a 'climbing theme', and act as celebrations of the various climbing achievements and epics of the year.

Iffley

The other major (if ever so slightly less sophisticated) event of the OUMC social calendar is the somewhat infamous 'Iffley party' and the Iffley bouldering competition which precedes it. Taking place in Hilary term, the Iffley competition at the Iffley road bouldering wall sees Oxford climbing at its best, promptly followed by the no less impressive sight of Oxford climbers at their less than best. The party itself is fancy dress, with costumes themed upon your favourite Iffley bouldering problem name - so get planning those costumes!

Punting and BBQ

The last (official) fixture of the OUMC calendar is the Punting and Barbeque which takes place in the last week of Trinity term each year. Regardless of the weather, the punting and barbeque is always a great way to round off the academic year. Typical activities include punt piracy, bridge-swinging, and slacklining across (or usually into) the river.

Other seasonal festivities

Throughout the year, the OUMC follows the strict mantra of 'any excuse for a party'. As such, there are several other social events to look out for including the pancake party (usually held in Hilary term), OUMC Ceilidh, roped-up pub crawl (held during Michaelmas term) and various Halloween or bonfire related shenanigans.